Best Camping Blankets

Whether you are relaxing in the park, sitting on the beach or out on a camping trip, a blanket is a necessity in all these scenarios. However, a normal blanket is too cumbersome to carry around in your backpack. That is why you need a pocket blanket.

These nifty blankets are highly versatile and fold down to a size which is hardly bigger than your wallet. In this extensive guide, we will discover the different types of outdoor blankets available in the market today and find out the things you need to consider before purchasing your next pocket blanket.

Top Rated Trekking Poles

Editor’s Choice – Montem Premium Pocket Blanket

The keys to a great trekking or camping experience are packing light and carrying ultra portable, versatile gear. That is why a normal blanket just doesn’t make sense for the outdoors, especially in the monsoon or wet conditions. These blankets are far too cumbersome, and its drawbacks far outweigh its advantages.

We will review the brilliant Montem Premium Pocket Blanket and find out why it can easily become your perfect companion when you head into the outdoor world. While the Montem brand does not carry the same stellar reputation as its direct rival, Matador, it surely deserves to. Learn more here.

Praktikal Life Pocket Blanket

The drawbacks of a normal blanket far exceed the benefits of carrying one. That is why you need a pocket blanket. It eliminates every drawback of a normal blanket and comes with all its benefits and more. As its name suggests, you can carry it around in your pockets and more importantly, it is completely waterproof and costs a lot less too!

In this article, we will review the highly acclaimed pocket blanket from Praktikal Life and find out why it was voted as the #1 Best Compact Blanket Design. The Praktikal Life Pocket Blanket is yet another newcomer to the world of pocket blankets. However, this pocket blanket has quite a few tricks up its sleeve to disrupt the status quo. Learn more here.

Matador Pocket Blanket 2.0

Whether you are going out on a camping trip, family picnic or an open concert, a blanket is a must. However, a normal blanket just doesn’t cut it for the outdoors, especially in wet and muddy conditions. Not only is it hard to pack inside your backpack, but it also isn’t likely to be waterproof either.

In this article, we will provide you with everything you need to know about the Matador Pocket Blanket 2.0. The Matador brand is known for manufacturing high-quality, packable travel gear and their pocket blanket is probably the best example of them all. Learn more here.

BEARZ Outdoor Picnic Blanket

Blankets are a necessity when it comes to trekking, camping or even family picnic trips. However, a normal blanket is just too bulky and cumbersome to carry around, not to mention the fact that they are not waterproof either.

In this article, we will review the highly versatile and incredibly useful BEARZ Outdoor Picnic Blanket and find out why you should pay attention to this relatively new entrant to the crowded market of pocket blankets. Learn more here.

A Word About Normal Blankets

A normal blanket has been traditionally used to cover up our bodies for warmth, and it has also been used as something to sit on. However, most normal blankets lack a few crucial features which prevent them from being used in harsh outdoor conditions.

Why are normal blankets not fit for outdoors?

First and foremost, a normal blanket is not portable at all. You cannot fold it up and carry it around for your outdoor trips. These bulky blankets do not fit easily into backpacks, and even if they do, they take up the lion’s share of space.

Secondly, these blankets are more than likely not waterproof. Hence, in wet and muddy conditions, normal blankets will get soaked up, and there will be a substantial increase in its weight. Moreover, these blankets will be extremely tough to clean up once it is dirty and wet.

Finally, the fabric material of normal blankets is not durable enough for the tough outdoor conditions, especially rough trekking and camping spots. The fabric of normal blankets is usually not a ripstop fabric, and will not prevent the blanket from sustaining damage in harsh environments.

Hence, it is easy to understand why normal blankets just do not cut it for the outdoor environment. Therefore, that brings us to the need for having specialized blankets which are primarily built for outdoor use. In the following section, we will discover more about the different types of outdoor blankets available in the market today.

What are the different types of outdoor blankets available?

Outdoor blankets are available in a large variety of fabric materials, and they vary in size as well. While some blankets are made from wool, others are made out of polyester. Here are some of the different materials used for making outdoor blankets:

Wool – 100 % wool blankets probably provide the maximum warmth. The blanket’s fibrous structure enables it to trap air between the fibers, which in turn helps to keep your body warm. This blanket does not lose its ability to keep you warm even when it is wet, which makes it really useful in moist conditions. On top of that, wool is also fire resistant.

However, wool blankets come with a few drawbacks, portability being the biggest of them all. Since these blankets are not water resistant, it becomes a big hassle to dry them out completely. Finally, wool blankets can get a little itchy for the skin if it is in direct contact with it.

Polar Fleece – While, wool is a natural material, polar fleece, on the other hand, is fully synthetic. Polar Fleece is made from a type of polyester called Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). It functions similar to wool; however, it differs in a few aspects. When compared to wool, Polar Fleece is a lot easier to dry when wet. On the flipside, this material is highly flammable.

Cotton – Cotton is a very common choice of material for different types of clothing. However, despite its supreme comfort, it has quite a few drawbacks which do not make it an ideal material for outdoor blankets. It gains a substantial amount of mass when it is wet, and moreover, it is flammable as well.

Woven Acrylic – Woven Acrylic is a synthetic fiber that is made from a polymer called polyacrylonitrile. Woven Acrylics are also able to pull sweat from the skin, helping you to stay dry. On top of that, it is a stain and mildew resistant fiber. Although this material does not melt until 572 degrees Fahrenheit (300 degrees Celsius), it is much more flammable than natural fiber counterparts.

Knitted Polyester – This is a great choice of material for outdoor blankets. It is one of the few synthetic fibers which is non-flammable. However, its fire resistant properties do not mean that its fire proof. Application of high heat can cause this material to shrink. It is also advised not to leave polyester fabrics in the dryer as excessive heat from the dryer can shrink it.

In addition to its heat resistance, polyester is also an extremely warm and lightweight fabric. Moreover, polyester blankets are able to pull moisture from the skin and keep you dry. But, that is not all, this fiber retains its insulation properties in wet conditions as well. Hence, it is perfect for camping and trekking trips.

Nylon – Nylon is a very similar material to polyester. It is a very tough and highly resilient fiber and has heat resistant properties similar to polyester. Moreover, nylon is also waterproof. Therefore, like polyester, this is an ideal choice of material for making outdoor blankets.

Nylon Ripstop – While regular nylon is pretty durable itself, this weaving technique makes nylon ripstop fabrics resistant to tearing. During the process of weaving, thick reinforcement threads are interwoven at regular intervals in a crosshatch pattern. This is exactly what makes it tear-resistant. Needless to say, nylon ripstop fabrics come with the same benefit as normal nylon fabrics.

Mylar – Fans of the popular TV show, Better Call Saul, will surely know about this material. This is a synthetic aluminum foil-like material which is pretty common in survival situations. It provides insulation against electricity and is also able to trap heat as well. However, this is a flammable material and also does not allow your sweat to evaporate.

The following are the different types of outdoor blankets available in the market today:

Pocket Blankets – These blankets are extremely light and usually made of nylon or polyester and can be folded up into a pocketable pouch. Pocket blankets are highly versatile and can be used in a wide range of environments.It is a perfect companion for camping, trekking, trip to the beach or even picnics. In addition to being portable, these blankets are also waterproof and highly durable as well. However, due to their relatively small size, these blankets are mainly used for sitting and seldom used for covering the body.

Sleeping Bags – This is the most common choice for campers. These sleeping bags provide excellent insulation and are also waterproof. However, the biggest letdown of sleeping bags is their portability. They are usually bulky, and it is quite a hassle to carry it around.

Wool Blankets – As mentioned earlier, wool blankets work like a charm when it comes to providing warmth. On top of that, they even manage to insulate well when wet. In fact, that is exactly the reason why the military prefers wool blankets over other types.

Emergency Blankets – Emergency blankets, also known as space blankets are made out of Mylar. These blankets fold up to a tiny size. In fact, you can easily fit 3 of these blankets inside your shirt pocket.Other than providing warmth, these blankets also provide insulation against electricity. As its name suggests, these blankets are primarily used in many emergencies, first aid, and survival situations. However, since they are made out of Mylar, these blankets are flammable and also very fragile compared to other types of blankets.

Thermal Blankets – These blankets are a variation of the emergency blankets. The main difference between thermal blankets and emergency blankets is that the former is usually a lot more durable than the latter. Moreover, unlike emergency blankets, they are meant for using more than once.

Fleece Blankets – These blankets are made from a type of polyester called Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). It provides great warmth and also manages to pull away moisture from the body. However, some people are allergic to this material. Make sure that your skin can tolerate this type of blanket before using it.

After reading this section, it is pretty clear why pocket blankets are the best bet when you travel outdoors. They provide versatility unlike any other blanket. In the following section, we will help you choose the pocket blanket best-suited to your needs.

Choosing the Best Pocket Blanket

It has only been a few years since the first pocket blanket came to the market. However, lately, these nifty little blankets have disrupted the status quo. There are quite literally hundreds of different types of pocket blankets available in the market today, making it quite a hassle in choosing the right one. However, after going through the following factors, you will be able to choose the best pocket blanket for you without breaking a sweat.

Material Quality

This is one of the most important factors to consider before purchasing a new pocket blanket. If you are planning to use it in harsh camping or trekking environments, then you should look for a pocket blanket with tear resistant fabric. On the other hand, if you are planning to use it in parks or picnic trips, you can ignore this point and save some cash by going for a blanket without this feature.

Size and Portability

While pocket blankets are not meant to be huge, they can still be large enough for 3 or 4 people to lie down and relax. Blankets like the Praktikal Life Pocket Blanket, are quite large and still manage to fold down to the size of your wallet. If you are planning to purchase a blanket primarily for your own use, you can also go for one of the mini pocket blankets. These are even smaller than normal pocket blankets but sufficiently large for one person to sit down and relax.

Versatility

This is yet another important factor to consider before purchasing your pocket blanket, especially if you are planning to use it in a variety of environments. While most pocket blankets are durable and waterproof, you should check for extra features like sand pockets and corner loops to use it in windy beach environments.

Also, a tear resistant fabric material will only add to the versatility. One of the most versatile blankets available in the market today is the Matador Pocket Blanket 2.0. It offers a plethora of features, making it possible to use it in almost any outdoor scenario.

Warranty and Customer Service

Since there are many new entrants in the world of pocket blankets, it is important to see what type of warranty and post sales service they offer. It is not always wise to get swayed by the price of a blanket as the brand might not have any customer service at all. If you want great customer service and 1 year warranty on your product, you should consider buying from Montem or Matador.

Price

Pocket blankets usually range from $10 to $30. The price depends on a variety of things like material quality, sand pockets, stakes for pinning your blanket to the ground. Blankets which do not come with stakes usually cost less than $20. If you do not plan to use your blanket in windy conditions, you can save some cash by going for blankets which do not offer features like sand pockets and stakes.

Extra Features

Some blankets like the Matador Pocket Blanket 2.0 come with many convenient features like stitch patterns to easily fold up your blanket, built-in ground stakes, and sand pockets as well. These extra features are really useful if you want your pocket blanket to be as versatile as possible, but be prepared to shell out some extra cash for that.

Conclusion

We believe after reading this comprehensive guide, you are now well prepared to purchase your next pocket blanket. So what are you waiting for? Go right ahead and buy the best pocket blanket for you and head into the wild.

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About The Author

Nick Lucas is the Chief Content Officer of Hiking Ambition. Nick enjoys hiking and spending time with friends at Bear Mountain State Park. He also enjoys brewing beer and artisan food. He lives in New York City.